Automated Driving Path Planner Resend Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated driving systems often fail to maintain safe operation when the path planner application does not meet a threshold performance level, leading to abrupt cancellation of autonomous driving and potential safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

The automated driving system is configured to resend previous commands to vehicle systems to maintain the planned vehicle path and send notifications to drivers to take control, allowing for a smooth transition from autonomous to manual operation, thereby ensuring safety and continuity of navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the automated driving system cancels autonomous operation when the path planner application does not meet a threshold performance level, then the system maintains safety by avoiding unreliable path planning, but the system experiences abrupt stops or deviations that create potential safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath planner performanceVSAvoidabrupt stops or deviations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system resends a previous command from the path planner to vehicle systems in advance, before the unreliable path planning fully manifests, to maintain continuous and smooth vehicle operation along the originally planned trajectory

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides a缓冲 period by resending previous commands, cushioning against the harmful effects of path planner failures and allowing time for driver intervention without abrupt stops or deviations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the automated driving system resends previous commands to maintain the planned vehicle path, then the system ensures continuity and safety of navigation, but the system complexity increases due to additional command management mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation continuityVSAvoidcommand management system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a copy of a previous valid command from the path planner and resends it to vehicle systems, avoiding the need for complex alternative path planning mechanisms while maintaining navigation continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary command resending mechanism that sits between the path planner and vehicle systems, managing the transition during path planner failures without requiring complex re-planning algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the automated driving system allows extended operation after path planner performance degradation, then the system maintains vehicle velocity and spacing for driver intervention, but the risk of unsafe operation increases if the path planner continues to underperform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver intervention timeVSAvoidunsafe operation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of path planner underperformance into a beneficial extended operation period by resending previous commands, allowing sufficient time for driver intervention while maintaining safe vehicle operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP2942687B1Automated driving safety system
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2942687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2942687B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2942687B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A system, device, and methods of automated driving are disclosed. One example method includes determining a planned vehicle path using a path planner application receiving information based on inputs to one or more sensors disposed on a vehicle. The method further includes sending a command to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow the planned vehicle path. While the vehicle follows the planned vehicle path, the method includes receiving an indication that the path planner application is not meeting a threshold performance level. After receiving the indication that the path planner application is not meeting the threshold performance level, the method further includes resenting the previously sent command to the one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow the planned vehicle path.